process in which elements, chemical compounds, and other forms of matter are passed from one organism to another and from one part of the biosphere to another

the movement of water through the biosphere

Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.

the water that is beneath Earth's surface

In hydrologic cycle, when liquid water turns into water vapor and enters the atmosphere

loss of water from a plant through its leaves

In hydrologic cycle, when water vapor changes into liquid water.

In carbon cycle, the process of burning a carbon-containing substance to create carbon dioxide.

the movement of carbon from the nonliving environment into living things and back

A natural environment that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases, which offsets greenhouse gas emissions.

The transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere to the soil, to living organisms, and back to the atmosphere

process of converting nitrogen gas into nitrogen compounds that plants can absorb and use

decomposers like bacteria break dead matter down, returning nitrogen to the soil

the formation of ammonia compounds in the soil by the action of bacteria on decaying matter

the process by which nitrites and nitrates are converted from ammonia by bacteria in the soil

The number of individuals in an area of a specific size

way in which individuals of a population are spread out over an area or volume

Movement of individuals into a population's area.

movement of individuals out of a population

Population growth that is controlled by limited resources

Largest number of individuals of a population that a environment can support

Any biotic or abiotic factor that restricts the existence, numbers, reproduction, or distribution of organisms.

series of gradual changes that occur in a community following a disturbance

An ecological change that begins in an area where no biotic community previously existed

first species to populate an area during succession

reestablishment of a damaged ecosystem in an area where the soil was left intact

A stable, mature community that undergoes little or no change in species over time

dominant species of plants and animals that come to live in an area

A natural resource that is not replaced in a useful time frame.

Any natural resource (as wood or solar energy) that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time

Release of harmful materials into the environment

excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from lack of oxygen.

species that enter new ecosystems and multiply, harming native species and their habitats

Protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment

able to meet the current demand for a resource without depleting the future supply